Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is a 1.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Mariposa, California that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

DISTANCE

1.1 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

95 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dogs on leash

wheelchair friendly

kid friendly

birding

hiking

nature trips

trail running

walking

forest

views

waterfall

wild flowers

wildlife

A quick stroll to see Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in Northern America and 5th in the world crash down on the rocks below.
Open year round, this trail is easy but icy in the winter. This is a 1 mile/1.6 km loop which takes about 30 minutes to complete. Half of the loop is wheelchair accessible and leashed pets are allowed. The trailhead is at the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (shuttle stop #6). This short, easy walk provides spectacular views of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls and even Middle Cascade.
Like all waterfalls in Yosemite, this waterfall is often dry from late July or August through October and is best seen in spring when the winter snow is melting and the upper lakes are full, significantly increasing the flow of the water over the edge.

This trek is a 1 mile round trip to the 320ft lower waterfall. Though the trail is practically a breeze, you can up your difficulty by rock scrambling to its base. I had a harder time with this area than I did with bridalveil. The rocks get very slick the closer you are to the fall.

It's so beautiful to see up close and personal! Nothing that didn't make the trip all the worth. If you can get to this part safely I highly recommend doing so!

There were so many people on this trail! It still remains one of our family's highlights because off to the side of the bridge where most people took pictures, we followed some other people off the trail and climbed up the rocks to get up close to the falls. It was incredible! We got a little wet but it was totally worth it, especially on a hot day like today!

Super easy little walk to lower Yosemite falls. You don't even have to do the full loop you could easily just walk out the .5 miles to the falls and back (it's probably not even .5 miles). Lots and lots of people go here so if you want a good view without tons of people climbing all over the rocks GO EARLY (I feel like this is what everyone says about everything in Yosemite this season!). This one is a must though if you're in Yosemite

For those who haven't been, or are not able to hike to other waterfalls in the park, this is an easy spot and a must see. The bottom of the falls are a very short paved walk away from the bus stop and well worth it.